The name of D. Nimal, rugby referee has been cropping up constantly this season. There were various allegations from some quarters where his referring was concerned. It was with a sense of curiosity that I set out to interview him.
“I have been refereeing for 20 years now. I suppose a hornet’s nest was raised after I ‘blew’ the first Bradby Shield game in Kandy where Trinity lost. I was assigned by the Referees Society to officiate at this game. Trinity lost the match due to the mistakes that they made. They dropped the ball at crucial stages and the accusing finger was pointed at me! My critics also said that I should not have been given to blow at this encounter because my 11-year-old son Udara Lakshan studies at Royal. The lad has not even thought of rugby and it was very cruel to accuse me of being biased,” said Nimal.
Nimal’s full name is Dharmapalage Nimal. He studied at Jawatte Central and his father had been on the security staff of the CR&FC.
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| Dharmapalage Nimal. |
“After school, I used to come to the CR&FC and watch in fascination this magical game of rugby. They say that it is a rowdy game played by gentlemen. How true. There were these great gentlemen turning into ruffians on the field. There is skill and brain work as well. It makes ones Adrenalin run high to watch a center-three quarter slice through the defense. Of course nothing can match a speedy winger making a grand run and scoring with a flourish at the corner flag. Gradually I was drawn to the game and soon became hooked on it. Several great ruggerites helped me along. The first was Mr. Zainudeen, the former master-in-charge of rugby at Isipathana. He was also the secretary of the CR&FC for quite some time. C.P.P. Abeygunewardenam the former Royal and CR center was a great inspiration.
Then there were players such as Dilip Adihelly of Trinity, Michael Mathysz and Tony Amith who were always available to discuss a game and talk rugby. They also came down on me like a ton of bricks when I made a mistake. Gradually I overcame my shortcomings and I found that with the retirement of referees I was slowly being pushed into the forefront. I am 38 years now. I have studied the game as thoroughly as I can. I will quit when I am 40 but until then I will blow the whistle to the best of my ability,” said Nimal.
“The first ever rugby match I blew was the Under 17 game between St. Joseph’s and D.S. Senanayake College. A keen spectator and evaluator at the game was Tony Amith, the former CH skipper and Sri Lanka Rugby Coach. After the game he congratulated me and presented me my first rugby whistle and jersey. Then there were also great rugby players such as Ana Sarnapala and Gamini Fernando of the Havelocks. M.R. Moosa, a former Referees Society President was a great inspiration. Malik Samarawickreme of CR and now Kandy fame is another.
There is Dilroy Fernando, who has discussed the games that I have refereed and advised me and even trained me. I owe a lot to these gentlemen. I will never forget my past and I want to be the best referee in the country,” said the plain speaking Nimal.Success in refereeing has certainly followed Nimal. Last Saturday he refereed the Royal-St. Peter’s game, billed as the ‘Clash of the Titans.’ “I feel that it was the best game that I had done. Old boys from both schools congratulated me after the match. I let the game flow and blew the whistle only at crucial stages. As a result the spectators enjoyed a fast end and exciting game. Royal won it at 50-41,” pointed out Nimal.
A game that he will never forget is the Police vs CH game in 1990 where he was the Touch Judge. “Vimal Perera was the other Touch Judge and the game was refereed by Aruna Jayasekera. There were several incidents which helped me to master the art of refereeing,” said Nimal.
Success in refereeing followed. He was assigned for the Asiad Cup final Japan vs Chinese Taipei in Chinese Taipei in 2006. “It was a good exposure and I am in the Asian B Panel of Referees.” Nimal has also officiated at the Singer Sevens and went on to referee the Japan vs Malaysia Asian Cup Sevens semi-final in 2009 which Japan won.
Ninal has also landed coaching assignments at Carey and S. Thomas’ Prep School in Colpetty. Only time will tell how successful he is at coaching. “I have always wanted to give off the best I can for my children Udara Lakshan at Royal and Paboda Dilshan (aged 5) at Visakha. Some, however, think I favour the school that my son attends when I blow at their matches. Is it wrong to see that your children prosper,?” queried Nimal in parting. |
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